Foldable Subdivision Element for Transport Containers and Frames

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns a foldable subdivision element ( 1 ) for installation in a transport container or a transport frame ( 10 ), wherein the subdivision element has webs ( 2, 2′, 2″ ) of flexible material which in the installed condition extend through the interior of the transport container or transport frame ( 10 ) in separate planes arranged flat one above the other or one beside the other and subdivide the transport container/transport frame into individual compartments. In order to provide a foldable subdivision element, as described hereinbefore, having webs of flexible material which in the installed condition subdivide the interior of a transport container or frame into compartments, in which the installation operation, that is to say introducing, positioning and fixing the subdivision element in a transport container/frame is facilitated in such a way that the replacement of a flexible subdivision element by another subdivision element with a compartment division which is different from the first one can be carried out quickly and also easily by the user himself, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the webs are arranged between rigid elements ( 3, 3′, 4, 4′ ) which in turn for installation of the subdivision element can be connected releasably to the frame or walls of a transport container or the frame structure of a transport frame ( 10 ).

The present invention concerns a foldable subdivision element forinstallation in a transport container or a transport frame, wherein thesubdivision element has webs of flexible material which in the installedcondition extend through the interior of the transport container ortransport frame in separate planes arranged flat one above the other orone beside the other and subdivide the transport container/transportframe into individual compartments. This invention further concerns atransport system comprising a transport container or transport frame andat least one subdivision element according to the invention.

Containers or transport frames or frame structures are frequently usedas transport containers for transporting piece goods. Arrangements areoften fixed in the transport container interior which is defined by acontainer, transport frame or transport frame structure, to subdividethe interior thereof into two or more compartments or segments. Whilecontainers are generally composed of floor, wall and ceiling units,transport frames frequently comprise horizontal and vertical frameelements fixedly connected together and in addition can have for examplea floor unit (for example a grid or a plate) and individual ones or aplurality of wall or cover portions in grid or plate form. Containersand transport frames are of defined dimensions which make it possiblefor the transport equipment and installations for transporting suchcontainers to be matched to precisely those dimensions. That means that,irrespective of the size, configuration and further specific features ofthe various goods being transported, the transport equipment andinstallations once established (trucks, forklift trucks, transportlines, cranes) can be used in the long term without those items ofequipment and installations having to be adapted to continuouslychanging dimensions in respect of the transport containers. Systems areparticularly preferably established, in which given transport containersmake up fractions of the transport volume of larger transport containersso that a plurality of smaller fractional containers can be disposed ina larger transport container.

In order to be able to use a transport container or a transport frame ofdefined external dimensions for transporting goods to be transportedwhich inter alia differ from each other in respect of their size andexternal configuration, the transport container interior which isdefined for example by a container, transport frame or transport framestructure is sub-divided into segments or compartments of suitableconfiguration by subdivision devices which are adapted to the respectivegoods to be transported. Such subdivision devices can themselves berigid and inflexible (boards, floors, walls). Other subdivision devicesare assembled from flexible materials and are fitted standard ex worksin transport containers and frames. Flexible subdivision devices enjoythe advantage that transport containers or frames provided with hingesor joints, with such subdivision devices, can be folded together in theunladen condition for the return transport or can be stored in thatcondition as long as they are not required.

It will be noted however that both systems suffer from the disadvantagethat, after assembly of the transport device, the way in which theinterior of the container or frame is divided up is more or less fixed.In the case of flexible subdivision devices which are assembled asstandard ex works in transport containers and frames, exchange isadmittedly possible under some circumstances, but it is usuallyperformed by the manufacturer of the transport device as correctpositioning and fixing precisely of subdivision devices of flexiblematerial in a transport container or frame is very difficult. As theexchange of one flexible subdivision element by another, with acompartment division which differs from the first one, is either verytime-consuming and/or very costly, in many cases the interior divisionof a transport container remains the same over the entire surface lifeof the transport container or is altered only when there is an urgentneed and correspondingly rarely. Instead a plurality of differenttransport containers or frames are usually provided in order to be ableto have recourse quickly in each case to the required system.

Therefore the object of the present invention is to provide a foldablesubdivision element as described hereinbefore having webs of flexiblematerial which in the installed condition subdivide the interior of atransport container or frame into compartments, in which theinstallation operation, that is to say introducing, positioning andfixing the subdivision element in a transport container/frame is sofacilitated that the replacement of one flexible subdivision element byanother involving a compartment division which is different from thefirst one can be carried out quickly and also easily by the userhimself.

That object is attained by a foldable subdivision element of the kindset forth in the opening part of this specification, which ischaracterised in that the webs are arranged between rigid elements whichin turn for installation of the subdivision element can be connectedreleasably to the frame or walls of a transport container or the framestructure of a transport frame.

The term rigid elements is used here to denote struts, bars, plates, barsystems, frame structures and similar of stiff materials and theflexible webs are preferably arranged between at least two such rigidelements and are either connected directly thereto or are fixed theretoby way of fixing means.

Preferably in subdivision elements according to the invention at least apart of the webs are arranged in mutually parallel relationship in theinstalled condition and the surface of the web or webs is preferablyrectangular, in which respect however for example trapezoidal andtriangular webs are also embraced by the present invention. Optionallythe webs of the subdivision elements which are installed in thetransport container or the transport frame can also extend diagonallywith respect to the container or frame. In that case the webs arearranged in substantially horizontal, vertical or inclined planes,depending on the side from which the compartments are to be loaded andunloaded (from the front or from above).

A subdivision element according to the present invention is easier andsimpler to fix releasably in a transport container as on the one handthe rigid elements are easier to grip than a number of interconnectedflexible webs as a plurality of webs can be uniformly guided at the sametime with one grip. At the same time the subdivision element can be moreprecisely positioned by way of the rigid elements in a transportcontainer or a transport frame insofar as the rigid subdivision elementsare applied to fixed walls, struts or frame components of the transportcontainer. After a subdivision element according to the invention hasbeen moved into the appropriate position in the transport container areleasable connection between the subdivision element and the transportcontainer/frame can then also be more easily afforded, by a procedurewhereby the rigid elements are fixed to the walls or struts or framecomponents of the transport container/frame either by cord, tape,hook-and-loop fastener strip, belts or cable ties or can be fixed withlatches or locks. In particular however a subdivision element accordingto the invention with a predetermined compartment division can be easilyreplaced by another subdivision element with a different compartmentdivision just as long as the rigid fixing elements of the othersubdivision element, in terms of their dimensions and in respect of thearrangement of fixing devices which are possibly provided such as forexample latching projections and openings, are of such a configurationthat they can also be releasably connected to the transportcontainer/frame. Those releasable connections which can be made andreleased without the use of tools are particularly advantageous.

Subdivision elements with rigid elements such as for example profilemembers, bars or struts can moreover also be better fixed in a transportcontainer as tensioning of the subdivision element is possible by way ofthose rigid elements, using lever forces, as soon as a rigid element ora plurality of rigid elements has or have already been fixed at one endto the transport container.

The subdivision elements according to the invention basically compriserigid elements connected together by way of flexible webs. Thesubdivision element in its entirety however is not rigid. That wouldbasically be in conflict with the idea of the invention as in accordancewith the stated object the subdivision element is to be foldable, whichin accordance with this invention is implemented by flexible andconsequently foldable webs arranged between individual rigid elements. Asubdivision element according to the invention is therefore notself-supporting, that is to say admittedly depending on its respectivedesign configuration it can also be erected without a transportcontainer or a transport frame but basically without fixing in atransport container it is not capable of carrying loads.

The webs and/or walls are preferably made from flexible material whichis selected from films of flexible material and from fabrics, wovenmaterials and knitted materials of natural or synthetic fibres. Webs andwalls of technical textiles of the most widely varying kinds areparticularly preferred. In preferred embodiments of the invention, atleast one reinforcing element is incorporated into or applied to thematerial of the webs or walls, for example a profile member or a bar ofplastic material or metal, in which respect that should not adverselyaffect the capability of the subdivision element for being foldedtogether.

Preferably the webs which extend in a first direction are respectivelyconnected at oppositely disposed edges of the web to at least one rigidelement. It will be noted however that this invention also embraces thefeature that the rigid elements are provided at mutually adjoining edgesof the webs. It is however advantageous if, by means of rigid elementsarranged at oppositely disposed edges, opposite tensile forces aretransmitted from the rigid elements to the webs. In that way thesubdivision element is optimally tensioned and the segments orcompartments which are formed are of the desired configuration.

Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention are those in whichthe rigid elements are provided in the form of separate struts and/orinterconnected strut systems and/or frame structures. While plates andframe structures as the rigid elements are of advantage in particularwhen they extend completely over two respective mutually opposite ormutually adjoining sides of the subdivision element and thereby inparticular in the case of complex subdivision elements with many websand in the case of larger subdivision elements facilitate moving thesubdivision element into position and fixing it in place in thetransport container, separate struts or strut systems are preferred ifthere is a wish to save on weight as generally less strut material isnecessary to establish an effective system. Strut systems and/or framestructures whose struts are arranged substantially on one plane or onadjacent planes which extend in substantially parallel relationship sothat the struts in plan view onto the plane or planes define a surfaceare particularly preferred.

Preferably at least a part of the struts is provided transversely withrespect to the plane of the webs. In some embodiments at least a part ofthose struts are connected to at least two corners of the webs. Infurther embodiments they are connected to oppositely disposed edges ofthe webs. The expression transversely with respect to the plane of theweb is preferably used to mean that the struts are arranged at an angleof about 45°-90° relative to the plane of the webs. Preferably thestruts are arranged at an angle of about 70°-90° and particularlypreferably at an angle of about 85°-90° relative to the plane of thewebs. It is particularly preferred that those transverse struts areinclined both in relation to a first edge of the web and also inrelation to a second edge of the web which adjoins said first edge, atan angle of about 45°-90°, preferably the angle in relation to one ofthose edges of the web being substantially 90°.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention the struts arrangedtransversely with respect to the plane of the web are arrangedinclinedly relative to the plane of the at least one web in such a waythat the plane of the at least one web is arranged slopingly from theoutside inwardly, that is to say away from the outwardly facing openingof the subdivision element and towards the middle of the subdivisionelement. By virtue of the sloping arrangement of the webs, when dealingwith some goods to be transported, it is possible to dispense with aspecial covering for the opening as the goods to be transported slideinto the compartment by virtue of the inclination of the plane, in whichrespect it will be appreciated that at the end of the compartment theitems being transported are received either by a rear wall or apartitioning wall of the subdivision element or by a frame element or awall of the transport container.

Still further embodiments of the present invention are additionallycharacterised in that at least a part of the struts are connected tooppositely disposed edges of the webs, wherein those struts extend onweb planes and preferably extend in substantially parallel relationshipwith the edges of the one web.

Particularly preferred embodiments have struts which extend at least inpart on web planes and which are at least in part connected to at leastone strut extending transversely with respect to the a web. Thatcombination comprising transverse struts and struts arranged on webplanes is referred to herein as a strut system, wherein the strutsextending on web planes are preferably passed through the at least onetransversely arranged strut. It is particularly preferred if strutsextending on web planes, of substantially circular cross-section, aremounted rotatably in a strut extending transversely with respect to aweb. Alternatively however the struts can also be fixed to each other attheir outsides or connected to each other by way of a connectingportion. It is further preferred if a subdivision element according tothe invention is characterised in that the struts extending on webplanes are connected to at least two struts extending transversely withrespect to a web. By virtue of that arrangement the system comprisingstruts on the web plane and transverse struts acquire additionalstability and load-bearing capability.

A substantial advantage of the combination of struts extending on webplanes and struts arranged transversely with respect to the web is thatthat provides that load transmission is also effected by way of verticalelements of the subdivision element, if it is assumed that the webplanes are oriented either horizontally or vertically. In other words,in the case of a horizontally extending web surface the weight applyinga loading thereto is firstly diverted onto the struts which are thenalso horizontal, on the web plane, and from those struts is transmittedto transverse struts which in the installed condition are arrangedsubstantially perpendicularly to slightly angled in relation thereto andare then carried thereby vertically onto for example a floor unit, avertical frame element or a vertical frame element of the transportcontainer. That is a matter of great advantage as, in the case ofsubdivision elements in which the entire load resting on a horizontalweb is carried by the connections between horizontal and verticalcomponents of the transport container, those connections must be of acorrespondingly massive construction. In the case of the preferredsubdivision elements according to the present invention, which have justbeen described, in contrast the main load is preferably carried by wayof the vertical struts. Accordingly it is possible to use other fixingmethods which can be applied more flexibly or which can be implementedmore easily when assembling such subdivision elements in transportcontainers.

In preferred embodiments the length of a strut extending along an edgeof the web is substantially equal to the length of said edge of the web.That however does not exclude the fact that in other embodiments it maybe advantageous for the strut to be selected to be longer than the edgelength. In order to prevent a web from sliding down in the longitudinaldirection from the ends of the struts, preferred embodiments provide atthe ends of the struts securing means to prevent them from slipping off.

If the struts arranged transversely with respect to the webs arearranged directly at the ends of the struts extending on the web plane,that is disadvantageous if the web over the width of the transversestruts has an opening which is not fixedly connected to the struts onthe web plane. In that case a corresponding subdivision element which isassembled in a transport container would not be tensioned along the edgeof the web which extends at the level of the openings between the strutson the web plane. When using web materials with a low level of stiffnessthat edge often hangs down for that reason because of the excessivelylow level of tension. When somewhat stiffer materials are involved thatedge admittedly remains substantially at the plane of the rest of thewell-tensioned web but it cannot carry a relatively large load. That isdisadvantageous in particular because it is frequently necessary to loadand unload the container by way of that edge. In other words, it isprecisely in that region that there is a particular need for a highlevel of stability and supporting force.

The edge defining the width of a tensioned web is therefore fixedpreferably over its entire length, in particular including the cornerregions, to a strut arranged on the web plane, and selectively alsofixed to a strut extending transversely with respect to the web.Preferred strut systems are characterised in that a strut extending onthe plane of a web is arranged along an edge of the one web and isconnected to the one edge, wherein preferably at least one strutextending transversely with respect to the plane of the one web isconnected at a spacing from both end points of the one edge of the webto the strut extending on the plane of the web. That additionallymarkedly improves the tension capability involved insofar as an edgewhich extends between the struts arranged on the web plane is stretchedand tensioned by the struts moving away from each other.

Further embodiments of the invention, between the webs connected tostruts, have at least one partitioning wall or side wall or rear wall.Additional walls of that kind are connected to the webs which areconnected to struts. Preferably the partitioning and side walls extendsubstantially parallel to a strut arranged on the web plane andpreferably perpendicularly to the web plane. It will be noted howeverthat in accordance with the invention the partitioning walls can also beembodied to extend diagonally or perpendicularly with respect to a strutarranged on the web plane. Furthermore all conceivable combinations interms of number and configuration of partitioning, side and rear wallscan be embodied. By way of example an embodiment has two side wallsrespectively arranged in the proximity of a strut disposed on the webplane and extending in parallel relationship with the strut, and eithera rear wall or one or more partitioning walls arranged parallel to thestrut arranged on the web plane or no rear wall and instead thereof oneor more partitioning walls arranged perpendicularly to the strutarranged on the web plane.

Particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention are thosewhich have a number of webs arranged between struts and preferably alsoa corresponding number of partitioning, side and/or rear walls arrangedbetween those webs. By way of example a preferred embodiment has threewebs which extend horizontally between horizontal struts, whereinarranged between each two webs are two side walls, a rear wall andcentrally between the two side walls a partitioning wall extendingsubstantially parallel to the horizontal struts.

Preferably subdivision elements according to the invention have a numberof at least two webs arranged between struts. Preferably the subdivisionelements have at least 2 and optionally up to 60 webs arranged betweenthe struts and particularly preferred are subdivision elements having2-8 webs arranged between longitudinal struts. Preferably thesubdivision elements additionally have a corresponding number ofpartitioning, side and/or rear walls arranged between those webs.

The advantage of subdivision elements according to the invention with anumber of more than two webs arranged between struts is that websextending between the struts can be simultaneously and uniformlytensioned with one tensioning operation. For installation of asubdivision element according to the invention in a transport container,firstly a supporting element, for example a strut, arranged transverselywith respect to the web planes, of the subdivision element introducedinto the transport container, is fixed on the one side of the transportcontainer, and then a further supporting element such as for example afurther transverse strut is fixed at another location on the transportcontainer, for example on the opposite side, with the number of websbeing simultaneously tensioned. That therefore eliminates the tediousoperation of separately hanging webs of a conventional subdivisionelement in place and that provides a saving in terms of time andoperating expenditure.

In some embodiments, as an additional reinforcement in respect of thecarrying force of horizontal webs, the webs are respectively connectedto at least one further strut, at a spacing relative to the edgesconnected to the struts disposed on the web plane. That further strutpreferably extends parallel to the other two struts and is particularlypreferably connected to at least one strut arranged transversely withrespect to the web plane.

Connection of the web or webs to struts arranged along web edges ispreferably effected by way of at least one respective loop which isformed by folding over an edge of the web and fixing that edge to aregion of the web, which has not been folded over. Alternatively or inaddition the flexible web can also be glued or stapled fast to thestruts. Furthermore it is also possible for the web to be screwed fastto the strut or nailed fast thereto or for the web to be clamped intoslots provided on the struts. Further possible connections between weband struts are rings fixed to the webs or loops of materials differentfrom the web material for pulling onto the strut and the like.

The subdivision elements according to the invention serve forsubdividing the transport space of transport containers of the mostwidely varying kinds. The term transport containers is used here todenote transport frames, transport containers, transport framestructures, boxes, shipping containers and comparable transportcontainers for transporting piece goods. The combination of transportcontainer and subdivision element is referred to herein as a transportsystem.

Preferred transport systems in accordance with the present inventioninclude a transport container or a transport frame and at least onesubdivision element of the above-indicated kind. The transportcontainers or frames are so designed that at least one subdivisionelement according to the invention can be tensioned in that transportcontainer/frame and releasably connected thereto or temporarily fixedtherein. Preferred transport containers for transport systems withsubdivision elements according to the invention have a basic supportframework comprising horizontal and vehicle frame elements which arefixedly connected to each other or which can be fixedly connected toeach other. Such transport containers are referred to hereinafter astransport frames. The transport frames preferably have hinges or jointsarranged at the frame elements, which make it possible for the transportframe to be folded down after unloading and possibly also after removalof the subdivision element.

The struts of subdivision elements according to the invention can beconnected to the transport container or transport frame for example bycord, tape, loop-and-hook closure tape, belts, or cable ties, in whichrespect hooks, eyes and/or bores are preferably provided for thatpurpose on the frame elements. The struts however can preferably also bereleasably connected to the transport container by screw means. Howeverthose releasable connections which can be made or released without usinga tool are particularly advantageous.

Particularly preferred transport systems according to the invention arecharacterised in that the subdivision element or the struts thereof,strut system or frame structure can be fixed in the transport containeror transport frame by way of latches or locking bolts. In that case thelatching projections and/or locking bolts can either be provided on thestruts of the subdivision element and the latching opening and/or boltopenings provided on the frame elements of a transport frame or on wall,floor, ceiling or frame elements of a transport container such as forexample a shipping container. Alternatively, the other way round, thelatching projections and/or locking bolts can be provided on the frameelements of the transport frame or on wall, floor, ceiling or frameelements of a transport container and the latching openings and/orlocking openings provided on the struts of the subdivision element.Further included within the scope of the invention are immobile rigidpush-in projections which engage into openings of a correspondingconfiguration.

Particularly preferred embodiments of transport systems according to theinvention are those in which a number of separate subdivision elementscan be fixed in a transport container or frame in laterally mutuallyjuxtaposed relationship, one above the other and/or one behind theother. For that purpose the subdivision elements are so designed thatthey represent fractions of the volume of the interior of the transportcontainer. In that way a plurality of fractions (including with adiffering compartment division) can be arranged in a transportcontainer. Preferably in that case the mutually adjoining subdivisionelements can be releasably connected together with double-sided adhesivetape, loop-and-hook fastener strips, rivets, hooks and/or eyes.

After a prolonged period of use of subdivision elements according to theinvention it can come about that the flexible webs stretch somewhat andconsequently lose tension in the tensioned condition. Therefore inparticularly preferred embodiments of the present invention a system forre-tensioning the webs is provided on the subdivision element or thetransport container or frame. Production tolerances of differentsubdivision elements can also be compensated thereby.

For the purposes of the original disclosure it is pointed out that allfeatures as are to be found in the present description, the drawings andthe claims from the point of view of the man skilled in the art, even ifthey have been described in specific terms only in relation to givenfurther features, can be combined both individually and also in anycombinations with others of the features or groups of features disclosedherein, unless that has been expressly excluded or technical factorsmake such combinations impossible or meaningless. It is only for thesake of brevity and readability of the description that thecomprehensive and explicit representation of all conceivablecombinations of features is not set forth here. As an example in termsof free combinability of individual features and groups of featuresattention is directed in particular to the specific description relatingto FIGS. 3 and 7.

Besides the foregoing description further features, possiblecombinations of features and advantages deriving therefrom will beapparent from the following specific description. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a subdivision element according tothe invention comprising struts and flexible webs,

FIG. 2 shows a plan view from above onto the subdivision elementaccording to the invention as shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a subdivision element according to theinvention which is just being installed in a transport frame,

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a subdivision element according to thepresent invention, installed in a transport frame,

FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic view of a strut with a sprung latching boltand a horizontal frame element of a transport frame with a latchingopening of corresponding configuration,

FIG. 6 shows a plan view from above of a subdivision element accordingto the invention with anti-slip securing means provided on struts, and

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a transport system according to theinvention with a transport frame and two subdivision elements arrangedin mutually juxtaposed relationship therein.

FIG. 1:

FIG. 1 shows a subdivision element 1 according to the invention whichhas a web 2 which is connected at each of two mutually opposite edges toa respective strut 3, 3′. At those edges the web 2 forms a respectiveloop 8, 8′, by way of which the web 2 is fixedly connected to the struts3, 3′. The length of the struts 3, 3′ substantially corresponds to theextent of the edges of the web 2 transversely with respect to thetensioning direction thereof. Substantially perpendicularly to thestruts 3, 3′, they are each connected to two respective struts 4, 4″ and4′, 4′″ respectively arranged transversely with respect to the plane ofthe web. The struts 3, 3′ are passed through the struts 4-4′″ arrangedtransversely with respect thereto and are mounted rotatably therein. Inthe tensioned condition of the subdivision element 1 the transversestruts 4-4′″ are arranged substantially perpendicularly to the web 2.Overall the subdivision element shown here has three webs 2, 2′ and 2″extending between struts. Arranged between those webs 2, 2′ and 2″ arepartitioning walls 5, 5′ which extend substantially parallel to thestruts 3-3′″ and which are fixedly connected to the webs 2-2″.

FIG. 2:

FIG. 2 shows a plan view from above of the subdivision element 1 shownin FIG. 1. This view shows the web 2 connected by way of a loop 8 to thestrut 3, in which respect it can be clearly seen that the strut 4arranged transversely with respect to the web is disposed at a spacingfrom the longitudinal edge of the web, which extends between the struts.

FIG. 3:

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a subdivision element 1 according to theinvention during its installation in a transport frame 10, the transportframe being shown in cross-section. While the left-hand transverse strut4 of the subdivision element 1 is already fixed in the transport frame10 the upper part of the right-hand transverse strut 4′ is still freelymovable and in the illustrated position the flexible webs 2-2″ and walls5, 6, 6′ are still partially folded. The lower part of the left-handtransverse strut 4 is already fixed in a horizontal frame element 12 ofthe transport frame 10 by way of the push-in projection 14 engaging intothe opening 15. At the upper end of the transverse strut 4 it is fixedwith a cable tie 7 to the abutment 13 which is arranged on a horizontalframe element 12 of the transport frame 10. The lower part of theright-hand transverse struts 4′ is already fixed in a horizontal frameelement 12′ of the transport frame 10 by way of the push-in projection14′ which engages into the opening 15′.

FIG. 4:

FIG. 4 again shows a side view of the transport system according to theinvention comprising the transport frame 10 and the subdivision element1 of FIG. 3, here showing the condition in which the webs 2 to 2″ andwalls 5, 6, 6′ are completely tensioned. In that condition theright-hand transverse strut 4′ is also moved into a vertical positionwith respect to the base frame structure and is fixed to the abutment 13arranged on the horizontal frame element 12 with a cable tie 7.

FIG. 5:

The embodiment of a transverse strut 4 shown in FIG. 5 has in thetransverse strut 4 a latching bolt 14 which is supported on a spring 16and which is of such a dimension that in the vertical position of thetransverse struts 4 it engages into the latching opening 15 provided inthe horizontal frame element 12 and thus fixes the transverse strut 4 inthat position.

FIG. 6:

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 of a subdivision element according to theinvention has at the ends of the struts 3 anti-slip devices 9. Thatarrangement prevents the outer loops 8 of the web 2 being able to slipoff the strut 3 in the longitudinal direction of the strut.

FIG. 7:

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a transport system according to theinvention comprising a transport frame 10 and two subdivision elements1, 1′ arranged in mutually juxtaposed relationship. At the verticalframe elements 18 the transport frame 10 has pivots 19 by way of whichthe unladen transport frame can be folded together after removal of thesubdivision elements 1, 1′. In the case of the subdivision elements 1,1′ shown here, the struts 4 arranged transversely with respect to thewebs are arranged slightly inclinedly with respect to the planes of thewebs 2, 2′ insofar as those struts form an angle differing from 90° tothe struts arranged along the web edges and are arranged substantiallyperpendicularly with respect to the webs arranged between the struts. Inthis embodiment, the angle is so selected that the planes of the webs 2,2′ are sloping away from the opening of the subdivision element towardsthe inside, that is to say in the direction of the rear wall 20. Goodsto be transported can be easily introduced into the pockets formed inthat way and pushed rearwardly until meeting the rear wall 20 and can betransported without additional securing means or covering over theopenings of the compartments of the subdivision element 1, 1′.

LIST OF REFERENCES

-   1 subdivision element-   2, 2′, 2″ web-   3, 3′, 3″, 3′″ strut arranged on the plane of a web-   4, 4′, 4″, 4′″ strut arranged transversely with respect to the plane    of a web-   5, 5′ partitioning wall-   6, 6′ side wall-   7 cable tie-   8, 8′ loop-   9 anti-slip securing means-   10 transport container or frame-   11 transport system-   12, 12′ horizontal frame element-   13 abutment-   14, 14′ latching projection-   15, 15′ latching opening-   16 spring-   18 vertical frame element-   19 pivot-   20 rear wall

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A foldable subdivision element for installation ina transport container or a transport frame, wherein the subdivisionelement has webs of flexible material which in the installed conditionextend through the interior of the transport container or transportframe in separate planes arranged flat one above the other or one besidethe other and subdivide the transport container/transport frame intoindividual compartments, wherein the webs are arranged between rigidelements which in turn for installation of the subdivision element canbe connected releasably to the frame or walls of a transport containeror the frame structure of a transport frame, wherein the rigid elementsare provided in the form of separate struts and/or interconnected strutsystems and/or frame structures, wherein the struts of strut systems andframe structures are arranged on a plane or on adjacent planes which aredisposed substantially parallel and wherein at least a part of thestruts is connected to oppositely disposed edges of the webs, wherein inthe installed condition the struts are arranged transversely, that is tosay at an angle of about 45°-90°, preferably at an angle of about70°-90°, and particularly preferably at an angle of about 85°-90°,relative to the plane of the webs.
 22. A subdivision element accordingto claim 21 wherein each of the webs extending between mutually oppositerigid elements are connected at mutually opposite edges of the web to atleast one rigid element.
 23. A subdivision element according to claim 21wherein at least a part of the webs are arranged in mutually parallelrelationship in the installed condition.
 24. A subdivision elementaccording to claim 21 wherein at least a part of the struts is connectedto oppositely disposed edges of the webs, wherein said struts extend onweb planes and preferably extend substantially parallel to the edges ofthe one web.
 25. A subdivision element according to claim 24 wherein thestruts extending on web planes are connected at least in part to atleast one strut extending transversely with respect to a web, whereinthe struts extending on web planes are preferably passed through the atleast one strut extending transversely with respect to a web, andparticularly preferably the struts extending on web planes, ofsubstantially circular cross-section, are mounted rotatably in the atleast one strut extending transversely relative to a web.
 26. Asubdivision element according to claim 24 wherein a strut extending onthe plane of a web is arranged along an edge of the one web and isconnected to the one edge, wherein preferably at least one strutextending transversely with respect to the plane of the one web isconnected at a spacing from both end points of the one edge of the webto the one strut extending on the plane of the web.
 27. A subdivisionelement according to claim 24 wherein the struts extending on web planesare connected at least to at least two struts extending transverselyrelative to a web.
 28. A subdivision element according to claim 21wherein it additionally has between the webs at least one partitioningwall and/or side wall and/or rear wall which is or are connected to atleast one of the webs.
 29. A subdivision element according to claim 21wherein it has at least 2, preferably 2-60 and particularly preferably2-8 webs arranged between rigid elements and preferably has acorresponding number of partitioning walls and/or side walls and/or rearwalls which are arranged between said webs.
 30. A subdivision elementaccording to claim 21 wherein the webs and/or walls are made fromflexible material which is selected from films of flexible plasticmaterials and from fabrics, woven materials and knitted materials ofnatural or synthetic fibres, preferably technical textiles, whereinparticularly preferably at least one reinforcing element is incorporatedinto the material and/or applied thereto, preferably at least oneprofile member or a strip of plastic material and/or metal.
 31. Asubdivision element according to claim 24 wherein a web is connected toa strut arranged along an edge of the one web by way of at least oneloop formed by the one web and/or is stapled, glued, screwed or nailedfast to a strut extending on a plane of the one web and/or is clampedthereinto.
 32. A transport system comprising a transport container orframe and at least one subdivision element according to claim 21 whereinthe at least one subdivision element can be tensioned in the transportcontainer/frame and can be releasably connected thereto or fixedtherein.
 33. A transport system according to claim 32 wherein thetransport container or the transport frame has a basic frame structurecomprising horizontal and vertical frame elements which are fixedlyconnected together.
 34. A transport system according to claim 32 whereinat least a part of the struts of the subdivision element can bereleasably connected to the transport container or frame by cord, tape,loop-and-hook fastener strip, belts, cable ties, wherein preferablyprovided for that purpose on the frame elements and/or struts are hooks,eyes and/or bores, or same can be releasably connected by screwing. 35.A transport system according to claim 32 wherein the subdivision elementcan be fixed in the transport container or frame by way of push-inprojections, latches or locking bolts, wherein the push-in projections,latching projections and/or locking bolts are either provided on thestruts and the push-in openings, latching opening and/or lockingopenings are provided on the frame elements- or the push-in projections,latching projections and/or locking bolts are provided on the frameelements and the push-in openings, latching openings and/or lockingopenings are provided on the struts.
 36. A transport system according toclaim 32 wherein a number of separate subdivision elements can be fixedin a transport container or frame laterally one beside the other, oneabove the other and/or one behind the other, wherein preferably themutually adjoining subdivision elements can be fixedly connectedtogether with double-sided adhesive tape, took-and-loop fastener strips,rivets, hooks and/or eyes.
 37. A transport system according to claim 32wherein the transport container of the transport frame can be foldedtogether by pivots arranged on the walls or frame elements.
 38. Atransport system according to claim 32 wherein on the subdivisionelement or the transport container or frame it has a device forre-tensioning the webs which are tensioned in the transport container orframe.